On Sat, 6 May 2000, OneThetan wrote:

> What is the Bowfinger Flier?
The Bowfinger flier is a flier I put together around the time Bowfinger was released to theaters in the US. It's still a handy flier, since Bowfinger was recently released to video (and has been shown on airplanes as the in-flight movie).

You can find the flier at http://www.scientology-lies.com/fliers/bowfinger.html , complete with links to supporting evidence for the statements I make.

Here's the text of the flier:

See Bowfinger - Save $360,000!

Steve Martin has said that the Mind Head cult in Bowfinger is not Scientology - "I view it as a pastiche of things I've seen come and go through the years" - and clearly Mind Head is not identical to Scientology. However, there are a lot of similarities, and many people who are familiar with Scientology find that Mind Head reminds them of it:

* Both recruit celebrities, who come to depend on it in every area of their lives.

* Both use an electronic device that supposedly monitors thoughts.

* Both dress their elite staffers in paramilitary uniforms.

* Both involve space aliens.

* Both have staffers infiltrate businesses to gather information.

Scientology is incredibly expensive. It costs more than $360,000 to do all the levels on the "bridge."

Once you know about Scientologys wacky side - the space aliens, the theory that we evolved from clams - and its dark side - the lies, the extortion, the imprisonment, the tragic death of Lisa McPherson - youll have the information you need to decide whether to plunk down that $360,000 for Scientology salvation.

Eyes Wide Shut - Scientology Celebrities in Denial Celebrity Scientologists John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Isaac Hayes, Anne Archer, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, Nancy Cartwright, Chick Corea, Kirstie Alley, Juliette Lewis, and Jenna Elfman are all vocal proponents of Scientology. They actively promote Scientology to their fans. (Two other well-known Scientologists, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, have done little or no active Scientology promotion lately.)

However, all of these individuals have also been presented with at least some evidence that Scientology is involved in illegal and unethical activities. These celebrity spokespersons choose to continue promoting Scientology in spite of the dangerous and criminal side of the organization.

On a Barbara Walters special, Jenna Elfman promoted Scientology and said that when people tell her Scientology is a dangerous cult, she just laughs. In US Magazine, she rejected criticism from anyone who hasnt read a Scientology book: "if you're not going to read the book, keep your mouth shut."

On 20/20, Kirstie Alley dismissed reports that people "have run into major problems in their lives as the result of wanting to leave Scientology" by comparing them to the vindictive statements of an ex-wife. She told USA Today she doesnt even want to talk to journalists who describe Scientology as controversial.

Isaac Hayes was aware of Scientologys unsavory reputation before joining, according to Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Flyer.

CNN correspondent Greta Van Susteren downplays media criticism of Scientology as "plain and simply bigotry by a few".

Since celebrity Scientologists directly benefit from recruiting new members (they earn commissions), their continued false statements about Scientology may constitute fraud.

The reason for this leaflet is to balance the recruiting these individuals do for Scientology.

The Silly Side of Scientology One of the high-level secret teachings of Scientology is called "OT III", or "The Wall of Fire." It says that 75 million years ago, an alien tyrant named Xenu captured millions of beings and blew them up. (No, really.)

Their spirits (called "thetans" in Scientology) attached themselves to human beings - who are also thetans. (Im not making this up. It was reported in the LA Times, 6/24/90, and Time Magazine, 5/6/91.) Of course, Scientology carefully keeps this secret from new members. Heck, if you knew Scientology would charge you thousands of dollars to learn how to get rid of YOUR body thetans, would you sign up?

Well, now you know.

Scientology also teaches that humans evolved from clams and from Piltdown Man (Piltdown Man was a hoax, not a genetic ancestor), that overdosing on niacin will get rid of radiation, that expectant mothers routinely try to abort their babies (several attempts per pregnancy - "Twenty or thirty abortion attempts are not uncommon"), and that everything in Scientology is based on clinically-tested scientific research (it's not).

The Ugly Side of Scientology High-ranking Scientology executives keep breaking the law. 11 top officials (including the founders wife) went to jail in the 1980s for breaking into government offices and stealing documents. The founder himself was convicted of fraud in France. 18 top executives currently face up to 30 years in prison for fraud and other crimes in Spain. Other executives have been convicted of similar crimes in other countries, and also of worse crimes: the head of the Lyon office was convicted of involuntary homicide when he pressured a member so much that he killed himself. There are several suspicious deaths of Scientologists.

Several ex-members have described being held prisoner, some under a cruel silent treatment known as the "Introspection Rundown." Scientologist Lisa McPherson was subjected to the Introspection Rundown, held against her will for 17 days, until she died, horribly dehydrated and underweight.

Scientology has been charged with two felonies in her death.

Scientology viciously attacks anyone they perceive as an enemy. They framed author Paulette Cooper for sending bomb threats and tried to drive her insane. They tried to frame Clearwater mayor Gabe Cazares for a hit-and-run accident. They abuse the court system, filing numerous lawsuits against their critics (Paulette Cooper was sued at least 18 times). They routinely spread horrible lies about critics - Scientologys paid massive libel fines in Canada and England.

Scientology also betrays the trust of their members. Scientologists reveal their deepest secrets - and those of their family and friends - during Scientology "auditing" sessions (the main practice of Scientology).

Scientology has shown, time and again, that those secrets will be used against members if they threaten to make trouble for the organization.

So now I know. Now what do I do?

For starters, have some fun. Dont get too wrapped up in worrying about stuff, including the weird and wacky sides of Scientology. Look for the absurdity and the humor in your everyday life. Trust me - its everywhere.

If you want to do something a little more substantial, here are some suggestions:

* Inform yourself. Theres a ton of information on the Internet; try http://www.xenu.net for starters.

* Tell your friends, family, and co-workers about Scientologys goofy "scientific" teachings - and its crimes.

* Write to the IRS, the press, your legislators, the district attorney, the attorney general, and anyone else you can think of. Scientologys tax-exempt status is up for review this year, so its a good time to contact the IRS.

* Distribute fliers in cafes and bookstores. You can write your own or download some from the internet.

* Join a picket or host a web page.

To view the supporting documents and evidence for the statements in this flier, check out http://www.scientology-lies.com/fliers/bowfinger.html .

-- Kristi Wachter the activist formerly known as "Jour" (before $cientology outed me) I think $cientology is hurting people and breaking the law, and I want them to stop it. See http://www.scientology-lies.com for more.

Can you say "Xenu?" ... I knew that you could.

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